Religious Beliefs and Spirituality in Mauritius

Religion plays an important role in a daily Mauritian life for it forms each and every one ones’ spirituality strength; a great factor in uniting the country and the people as well. Moreover, the country’s various religions have also been celebrated in the islands cultural events, churches, temples, and mosques. The inhabitants of the country are varied; religions of each also differ. The people have valued religion, respecting one another for the diverse beliefs each person possesses. However, reverence to the divergence of the churches have well been seen in the country; for temples, mosques, and praise centers in the country are just near from each other.

Hinduism religion has the higher percentage in the Mauritian people. 52% are variants from Hinduism, the Maratha and Tamil, which are dominant in the Bhari variety. Several cultural processions have been celebrated in the country. Mostly are religious celebrations like the Maha Shivaratri celebrated by Hindus, who march to a lake in southern Mauritius. Muslims are classified as Sunnis, and some are Shias and Ahmadis. On the Catholic side, a custom is made, an annual custom of pilgrimage to the tomb of Jacques-Désiré Laval, a now-beatified nineteenth-century priest. Other belief such as the Syncretist is also common. Moreover, the most powerful religious person in Mauritius is the Archbishop of Mascareignes and the Seychelles. On the other hand, Muslim and du imams are also powerful, although their religions do not require formal leadership. Three annual religious ceremonies have also taken part in the religious lives of the Mauritians. These festivals include Tamil festival, Père Laval pilgrimage, and Maha Shivarati for the Hindus.